Tuesday, October 08, 2013

GOP says government could open if only Dems would cave on medicare, social security, ObamaCare and social safety net

Eric Cantor

Congressional GOP leaders announced today that the government could re-open provided Democrats were willing to discuss fiscal issues important to the GOP. Essentially, they have proposed a new fiscal super committee composed of Republicans and Democrats to discuss government funding on condition of cuts to social security funding, medicare funding and Obamacare funding. Wait, didn't the original super-committee fail after months of such discussions? Plain and simply this is just more fooling around that we don't have time for. We are headed for a financial crisis. Why don't Republicans get it?

They are so generous! Imagine, they are willing to discuss cutting or reducing funding not only for Obamacare, but now also social security, medicare and other social safety net programs before they
will consider opening the government. Of course, their pre-requisite is that tax loopholes, tax subsidies and any new taxes are off the table. What a plan! Are you seeing the pattern here? Republicans are the hostage takers. All they need to do is pass a clean continuing resolution but they won't allow a vote on it. They have to use this as a mechanism to pass their party's legislation. Legislation which was rejected when we ended Mitt Romney's political career.

Republicans are hopeful that their simple-minded followers as well as other gullible voters might see this as a real genuine offer to get the government funded and avoid a debt ceiling crisis. Can they be so arrogant? If any Democrats go for this idea our government is finished. Remember, we don't negotiate with terrorists! One outcome of this fiasco should be for the ethics committees in Washington to change their rules so that doing harm to America is not allowed as a negotiation tactic.

The GOP should do the right thing and pass a continuing resolution that funds the government now and immediately after, approve the debt ceiling increase. Then there would be time to sit down and talk about fiscal issues. However, if Republicans insist that revenue is off the table, there will be no discussions.